Joint runner



Jan. 15, 1935. G. E. WILLIAMS JOINT RUNNER Filed March 2, 1931 A A A AYAA A A Patented Jan. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOINT RUNNERGeorge E. Williams, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application March 2, 1931, Serial No. 519,375 14 Claims. (01. 22 11s) Myinvention relates to joint runners for use in conjunction with pipes ofthe bell and spigot type and has for an object to provide a mold bywhich lead may be run into the joint thereof.

An object of the invention resides in providing a joint runnercomprising a band formed of flexible material and having a tapered endadapted to lie against the pipe with another portion of the bandoverlying the same.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a clamp for drawingthe parts of the band relative to one another to retain the, same aboutthe pipe, and for clamping the parts in position.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing saidclamp with a link pivoted to one portion of the band and with a leverpivoted thereto, said lever engaging another portion of the band.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the band with aplurality of lugs issuing outwardly therefrom and adapted tobe engagedby said lever.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing either thelink or the lever with an opening therethrough, through which the freeportion of the band may extend so as to adapt the band for difierentsizes of pipe.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the link with twoside members and two end members, the end members serving as pivots andin pivotally connecting one of the end members to one part of the bandand in pivotally connecting the lever to the other of said end members.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a joint runner in thefree end of the band which may be inserted into the opening formed insaid link.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the lever with twospaced side arms, each having an eye therein and pivoting said leverthrough said eyes on the other end member of said link, said arms beingadapted to straddle the band.

A still further object of the invention resides in connecting said armstogether at one end by means of a bar adapted to engage the lugs on theband and in connecting said arms together at their opposite ends througha Urshaped thumb piece serving as a stop for limiting the movement ofsaid lever.

An object of the invention resides in disposing the pivots of said linkand lever and in disposing said bar and thumb piece so as to form anover-center device adapted to maintain the bar in engagement with thelug when the lever is closed.

A feature of the invention resides in providing groups of lugs forengagement withv said lever, each of the lugs of a group being for aparticular type of pipe and each group being for a particular size ofpipe.

Another objector the invention resides in applying to corresponding lugsof each group, some identifying characteristic such as constructing thelugs of different metals or in different colors.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the band with a coreformed of a plurality of layers of material arranged in overlyingposition to give the core a rectangular cross section and in furtherproviding a cover encircling the core for protecting the same.

Another object of the invention resides in constructingthe core from asingle sheet of material lapped to form the various layers thereof.

An object of the invention resides in forming a sprue along'one side ofthe portion of the band and inattaching a sprue block in proximitythereto and in further providing said block with a sprue lying incontinuation of the sprue in said band.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination andarrangement of parts and in Y the details of construction hereinafterillustrated and/or described.

In the drawing;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a joint runner applied to a pipe andillustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on line 2- 2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the joint runner shown in Fig. 1detached from the pipe and with the clamp in open position.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the band drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of one of the lugs used with the inventiondetached from the band.

In the use of joint runners, considerable difficulty has beenencountered in preventing leakage of the lead. Furthermore certain ofsuch devices had to have relatively large sprue holes so that the amountof lead to be cut away from the finished joint was considerable. Inaddition, trouble was had with the band from which the runner wasconstructed, loosing its rectangular form. The instant inventionovercomes these difficulties by providing an extremely simple andefiective runner which may be readily applied to all sizes of pipes andslidably drawn about the same to effect a tight seal and which may beprovided with a relatively small sprue hole and which'will. retain itsform indefinitely.

For the purpose of illustrating the application of my invention I haveshown the adjoining ends of two sections of pipe and 11 which are of thebell and spigot type. The spigot end 12 of the pipe section 10 has beenillustrated as inserted within the bell 13 of the pipe 11, which ascustomary, is slightly enlarged to provide a space 14 between said belland the adjoining pipe section 10 in which a suitable packing 15 may bedriven and in which the lead used for sealing the pipe may be poured.

The joint runner proper consists of a band 16 of flexible material,which may be constructed as follows: This band is constructed with acore, 17 and a covering 18 encircling the same and protecting said coreand assisting in holding the core in proper position. The core 1'1 iscon:- structed from a sheet 19 of avv suitable flexible material such asasbestos fabric, or other asbestos composition, which sheet is lappedback and forth to form a plurality of layers 20 overlying one another.At suitable intervals between the various layers 19 is placed an uncuredor partly uncured gum, which is adapted to be vulcanized when the bandis heated so as to bind the layers of the band together. After the core17 has been built up, another sheet of similar material is Wrapped aboutthe core to form the covering 18 which has disposed between the layersthereof and between it and the core 17, suitable strips of uncuredrubber the same as in the core. The entire band is then heated tovulcanize the rubber and bind the parts together. In the drawing, thecore and covering has been shown as formed of a single sheet ofmaterial, tho separate pieces may be used and different kinds ofmaterials employed. In the construction of the band 16, the variouslayers 20 may be formed of a single sheet of material as described orthe same may be constructed from individual strips laid one upon theother and vulcanized or otherwise secured together. If desired, thecovering 18 may be dispensed with and the core 1'7 used without acovering. Instead of vulcanizing the parts of the band together, thelayers may be sewed, stitched, wired, stapled, or otherwise securedtogether and reinforcing members may be imbedded within the same.

Theband 16 comprises two portions indicated at 21 and 22 ofwhich theportion 21 is wrapped about the pipe on which the runner is to beapplied and theportion 22 is disposed in overlying position upon theportion 21. The portion 21 is tapered as indicated at 23 to a featherededge 24' at the extreme end thereof so that when the portion 22 iswrapped about the portion 21, a tight joint is eiiected between therunner and the pipe proper. The tapered portion 23-may be formed byskiving or cutting down the core 17 and the covering 18 wrapped aboutthe same after the tapered portion has been formed, or if desired, afinished band may be formed complete in suitable lengths and the sameout off or skived after construction. In such case, the out part of theband, which would be the exterior thereof might be left raw or coveredwith a separate covering conforming to the shape of theband. Where thetapered portion 23 is covered, a spiral covering may be used which wouldbe placed on the core after the same has been properly shaped.

At suitable intervals along theouter surface 35 of the band 16 areprovided groups of lugs, each group containing three lugs 44, 45 and 46,shown in detail in Fig. 5. These lugs may be formed from wire having ahook 47 bent near one end thereof and being formed with screw threads 48at the other end whereby the lug may'bescrewed into the core 17 of: theband 16 so as to hold the same rigidly attached thereto.

For the purpose of drawing the band snugly about the pipe, the portion22 is tensioned relative to the portion 21. This is accomplished througha clamp and tensioning device indicated in its entirety at 25. Thisdevice comprises a lever 26 and a link 27 pivoted to one another and tothe portion 21 of the band 16, said lever being adapted to engage theportion 22 and to move the same relative to the portion 21 and to clampthe parts together at any adjusted position thereof.

The link 27. as best shown in Fig. l is constructedof wire or rod and isformed with two side members 28 and 29 and with two end members 30 and31 bent into a rectangular frame as shown, to leave a space 32 withinthe same. The ends of the wire may be welded together at any suitablelocality and preferably in the end member 31 to form a unitary and rigidconstruction. The link 27 is pivoted to the portion 21 of the band 16through a strap 33. This strap is doubled back upon itself to form aloop 34 for the reception of the end member 30 of said link and issecured to the outer peripheral surface 35 of the band 16 at a localitythereon adjoining the beginning of the tapered portion 23 of said band.The strap 33 is secured to the band 16 through a number of wood screws36, which are screwed into the core 17 of the band. Rivets or bolts mayalso be used for this I purpose if desired.

The lever 26 is constructed from wire or round rod similar to the link27 and consists of two spaced arms 37 and 38 which are formedintermediate their ends with eyes 40 adapted to receive the end member31 of the link 27' for pivotally connecting said lever to the link. Theeyes 40 are disposed nearer one end of the lever than the other so as toprovide suitable leverage in. the tensioning of the band as willpresently become apparent. The shorter ends of the arms 37 and 38. areconnected together tlnough a bar 41 which is adapted to engage any ofthe lugs 44, 45 or 46; This bar is formed at the center thereof with acrotch 42 which engages within the. hooks 4'7 of said lugs and holds thelever in central relation with respect to said lugs. lfhe longer ends ofthe arms 37 and 38 are connected together through a U-shaped thumb piece43 which is adapted to straddle the band proper when the lever is inclosed position and which engages the outer surface 35 of the band andlimits the movement of the lever. In the construction of the lever 26from wire or rod, the same isbent into the desired form and the ends ofthe device are welded together, the joint being preferably made in thethumb piece 43.

The opening 32 within the link 2'7 is of such a width. as to freelyreceive the free portion 22 of the band 16 which in the use of thedevice is inserted through the same. The arms 37 and 38 of the lever 26are sufficiently spaced so that the said arms straddle the band when theclamp has been. applied to the device and is closed. In. applying thedevice to the pipe, the tapered portion 23: is first laid about theexterior of the pipe in proximity to the end bell 13 as shown in Fig. 2and the band Wrapped about the pipe. The portion 22 is next caused tooverlie the tapered portion 23 and in applying the lat-- ter portion,the same is inserted through the opening. 32 of the link 19. The lever26 is then swung outwardly as shown in Fig. 3 and the bar 39'broughtinto engagement with the proper lug, thenotch 42 resting in the hook 47of said lug. By swinging the lever 26 in a direction toward the outersurface 35 of the band 16, the free end 22 of the band is tensioned andthe band drawn snugly about the outer surface of the pipe. The arms 37and 38 of lever 26 are so constructed that when the thumb piece 43engages the outer surface 35 of the band 16 that the bar 41 lies out ofalignment with the two pivots 30 and 31 of the link 27, thereby formingan over-centered device by means of which the parts are held in lockedposition. The thumb piece 43 serves as a stop for limiting the movementof the lever to such position and when the clamp is closed, the arms 37and 38 and said thumb piece straddle the end 22 of the band.

A pipe of the bell and spigot type, such as used in the plumbing trade,comes in a number of different sizes and each size of pipe comes indiiferent weights. These particular weights referred to in the trade asferrules, standard pipe and extra heavy pipe. The lugs 44, 45 and 46 areso positioned that one lug serves to hold the device applied to eachparticular size and style of pipe. In order to assist the plumber indetermining the proper lug, the lugs are preferably identified in somesuitable manner. These lugs may be constructed of different material orcolored in a distinctive manner. For the purpose of illustration, thelugs 44 which are used for ferrules are japanned or painted black, thelugs 45, which are used for standard pipe are painted aluminum orsilvered, while the lugs 46 which are used for extra heavy pipe arebronzed or constructed of brass. In order to properly use the invention,it is merely necessary to apply the bar 41 to the proper lug and forcethe lever 26 into closing position. The band will then be properlytensioned about the pipe and without placing unnecessary strain upon thesame.

For the purpose of pouring the lead into the space 14 within bell 13,the band 16 is formed in the portion 21 thereof with a sprue 49. Thesprue 49 is disposed in one of the lateral surfaces 50 of the band whichis the surface placed adjacent the bell 13 on the adjoining pipesection. This sprue tapers outwardly as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and isformed by cutting a groove or notch in the core 17 which extendscompletely through the covering 18 of the hand. For the purpose ofreinforcing the band at the locality of the sprue 49, a sprue block 51is employed which is secured to the outer surface 35 thereof and whichis held in place by means of three screws 52, screwed into the core 17of the band. Sprue block 51 extends outwardly beyond the bell 13 and isformed with an opening 53 constituting a continuation of the sprue 49.

In the use of the invention, the band is placed about the pipe with thesprue 49 extending upwardly and the band tensioned in the mannerdescribed. The band is then driven against the end of the bell and therunner is then ready to receive the molten lead or solder. The solder isnext poured into the sprue 53 and flows within the space 14 within thebell 13, filling the same and forming the joint. Due to the fact thatthe sprue block 51 extends outwardly beyond the bell of the pipe, theportion thereof about the opening 15 operates to direct the molten leadinto the sprue 49 and prevents the lead from being spilled out of themold. After the lead has been sufficiently cooled, the runner may berapidly removed by unloosening the lever 26 and disengaging the bar 41from the particular lug with which the same was engaged, thereupon thefree'end 22 of the band 16 may be slid through the opening 32 in link 27and the parts removed. Thereafter the metal formed by the sprue 49 maybe chiseled away and the lead caulked to form a fluid-tight joint.

My invention is highly advantageous in that the runner may be quicklyand accurately applied to the pipe to form the mold for casting the leadin the joint. By means of the identifying characteristics of the lugs,the proper lug can be quickly determined. The clamp is constructed sothat the same is extremely rigid and substantial and so that the samewill provide sufiicient force to draw and hold the runner snugly aboutthe pipe. position, the over-centered construction holds the partslocked in place. By means of the construction of the core of the band,the same always remains rectangular so that a planiform end wall isprovided for the mold. Due to the construction of the band withlaminations, the band bends freely to conform to the curvature of thepipe and has considerable lateral rigidity to maintain the same incontact with the end of the bell. By the use of the sprue block, asulficiently large sprue may be formed without materially weakening theband and at the same time the sprue block greatly assists in pouring thelead into the sprue.

Changes in the specific form of my invention as herein disclosed may bemade within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from thespirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

l. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe and having two juxtapositioned portions, one

adapted to overlie the other means for drawing said portions about thepipe including a looped link having an opening therethrough and a leverpivoted to said link, said link being pivoted to the underlying portionsof said band, means formed on the overlying portions of the band forengagement with said lever, said overlying portion of the band passingthrough the opening in said link.

2. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe and having two portions, one adapted to overlie theother, a looped link having an opening therethrough and formed with endmembers serving as pivots, means engaging one of said end members andattached to the underlying portion of the band for pivotally connectingsaid link thereto, said overlying portion of the band passing throughthe opening in said link, a lug on the overlying portion of the band anda lever pivoted to the other end member of said link for engagement withsaid lug for drawing the band about the pipe.

3. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to beWrapped about a pipe and having two portions, one adapted to overlie theother, a looped link having an opening therethrough and formed with endmembers serving as pivots, means engaging one of said end members andattached to the underlying portion of the band for pivotally connectingsaid link thereto, the overlying portion of the band passing through theopening in said link,-a lug on the overlying portion of the band and alever comprising spaced side arms pivoted to the other When the clamp isin end-1 member of said link and having a, portion for engagement: with.said. lug to draw the portions of the band about the pipe, said sidearms being adapted to straddle the overlying, portion of the band.

4. A joint runner comprising, a. band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe and having two portions, one adapted to overlie theother, av looped link having an opening therethrough and formed with endmembers serving as pivots, means engaging one of said end members andattached to the underlying portion of the band for pivotally connecting.said link thereto, said overlying portion of the band passing through.the opening in said link, a lug on the over-b ing portion of the bandand a lever comprising spaced side arms, each formed with an eye pivotedto the other end member of said link and having a bar connecting saidarms at one end for engagement with said lug. todraw the portions of theband about the pipe and a thumb piece connecting the other ends of saidarms for manipulating said lever, said arms being adapted to straddlethe overlying portion of the band.

5. A. joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe and having two portions, one adapted to overlie theother, a link consisting of two arms adapted to straddle the overlyingportionof. said band, means for pivoting one end of said arms to theunderlying, portion, a member on the overlying portion of said banddisposed in proximity to said link, and a lever pivoted to said link atthe other ends of said arms and adapted to engage said member fordrawing the portions of the band together.

6. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about ,a pipe and having two portions, one adapted to overliethe other, a link, means for pivoting said link at one end to theoverlying portion of said band, said link having a portion overlying theunderlying portion of the band, a lever pivoted to said link at itsother end, a member on the overlying portion of the band disposed inproximity to said link, means on said lever for engaging said member todraw the portions of the band together upon movement of said lever, saidlever having an arm extending outwardly therefrom, and a cross piece onsaid arm adapted to engage said band and forming a stop for limiting themovement of said lever with respect to said band.

7. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe and having two portions, one adapted to overlie theother, link, means for pivoting said link at one end to the underlyingportion of said band, a lever, means for pivoting said lever to saidlink at its other end, a member on the overlying portion of said banddisposed intermediate the pivots on said link, means on said lever forengagement with said member, and a stop on said lever for limiting themovement of said lever with respect to the band.

8. A. joint runner comprising aband of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe and having two portions, one adapted to overlie theother, a link, means for pivoting said link at one end to the underlyingportions of said band, said link having an end member at its other end,a lever comprising spaced side arms, eachformed with an eye pivoted tothe end member of said link, said lever havingv a bar connecting saidarms, and a memberon the overlying; portion of said band: for engagementwith said bar.

9. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe and having two juxtaposed portions one adapted tooverlie the other, means connected thereto for drawing said portionstogether, said means including a link, means connected to one end ofsaid link and to said underlying portion, a lever pivoted to the otherend of said link and having a portion for engagement with a member faston the overlying portion of the band in proximity to said link, an armon said lever having a stop for engagement with said band, said stopbeing adapted to engage the band when the portion of said lever engagingsaid member has passed the line connecting the pivots of said link.

10. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible material adapted to bewrapped about a pipe, a portion thereof being in contact with the pipeand another portion thereof overlying the first named portion, a leverfor tensioning the overlying portion, means on the overlying portion ofthe band for engagement with said lever, a link having an openingtherein through which the overlying portion of the band may extend,means for pivoting said link to the first named portion of the band, andmeans for connecting the link to said lever.

11. A joint runner comprising a band of flex-- ible m terial adapted tobe wrapped about a ipe and. having wo juxtapositioned portions, meansfor drawing said portions about the pipe including a link and a lever, apivot connecting said link and lever to one another, means for pivotallyconnecting said link to one of the portions of the band, 9. lug on theother portion of said band, a member on one side of the pivot of saidlever for engagement with the lug and a-stop on the other side of thepivot of said lever engaging said band for limiting the swingingmovement of said lever whereby the lever Will be held in engagement withthe lug. 12. A joint runner comprising a band of flexible materialadapted to be wrapped about a pipe and to lie against the bell of anadjoining pipe, a sprue block constructed of flexible material andsecured to said band and extending outwardly beyond said bell, saidsprue block having a sprue extending across the same and communicatingwith the space between the bell and pipe, and means engaging the bandfor holding the band in place upon the pipe.

13. In a joint runner, a band having a core comprising a plurality ofsuperimposed layers constructed from a sheet of material, said bandbeing adapted to be wrapped about a pipe with all of said layersparalleling the peripheral surface of such pipe, said core being formedby folding the material back and forth upon itself in zig-zag fashion,layer upon layer, with all of the folds disposed at the lateral surfacesof the core, and means for holding the band in position upon a pipe.

14. In a joint runner, a band having a core comprising a plurality ofsuperimposed layers and adapted to be wrapped about a pipe with allofsaid layers paralleling the peripheral surface of such pipe, some of thelayers being integral with others, said integral layers consistingoffolded sheet material, the folds between integral layers being alldisposed at the lateral surfaces of core, and means for holding the bandin position. upon a pipe.

GEORGE E. WILLIAMS.

